This monsoon, visit the mystical Purandar fort near Pune

Purandar fort, located around 50-km away from Pune city, is a hot pick for trekkers and weekend tourists. However, very few know the rich historical background the fort has. According to mythology, it is said that Purandar was the broken part of the Dronagiri Parvat which Hanuman carried in Ramayana. However, the earliest reference dates back to the 11th century, when the Yadav dynasty was ruling the region. Being located in a strategic place, the fort witnessed several historic battles, besiegement, treaties and shifting of powers.

Married couple buried alive

It is said that when the fort was under construction a married couple was buried alive under the Shendrya Buruj (bastion) to stop the falling of rocks. According to two copper plates found in the Inam commission office, the foundation of the Shendrya Buruj broke several times and the king of Bedar dreamt that unless a first born son and his wife were sacrificed on the spot, the foundation would never be sure.

On waking up, the king sent for the grantee Yesaji Naik Chive who brought Nath Naik and his wife Devki and the two were buried alive on the eighth day of Ashvin (September - October). At the same time, fifty thousand gold bricks, each brick weighing about twenty-four rupee weights or tolas, were also put in two holes to the right and left of the tower foundation. Each hole was about thirty feet square and twelve feet deep. The work was then finished. The king conferred the fort to Yesaji Naik and granted two villages worth to the father of the buried boy.

German prisoners

Another interesting fact about the fort is that during the British era it was used as a prison. During World War II, it was an internment camp for German families. Jews from Germany were interned here along with other prisoners. A German prisoner Dr H Goetz was kept here during World War II. He studied the fort during his stay and later published a book on it. The major use of the fort, however, was as a sanatorium for British soldiers.

What: A fort located 50-km from Pune, known for treks and as a weekend getaway.

When: 9 am to 5 pm

Entry: Open to public